A pilot Primary School Recycling Programme has been launched at St. Paul’s Primary School in George today, 10 June 2019, by the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Councillor Memory Booysen, in collaboration with the Waste Management Unit of GRDM and their recycling mascot known as ‘Rocky the Recycling Rooster’.
Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, with Principal Calvert, teachers, learners and municipal employees at the end of the pilot Recycling Launch.
During the welcoming and opening of the programme, Principal Baron Calvert said: “Part of my teaching background is in the field of Environmental Science and I therefore understand the importance of the programme and welcome the Municipality’s project at our school. We are privileged to be the first primary school in the Garden Route to be identified to pilot this project.” Mr Calvert was appointed on 1 April 2019 as Principal of St. Paul’s Primary School and brings with him a wealth of experience and a passion for behaviour change.
‘Rocky the Recycling Rooster’ was introduced by Mr Johan Gie, Waste Management Officer at GRDM.
Through this Programme, learners will be more likely to carry recycling habits into their adult years, while sharing it with family and friends. They will also be able to become more aware of how their personal actions can affect the future of the environment.
Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, with Principal Calvert, teachers, learners and municipal employees at the end of the pilot Recycling Launch.
Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen, urged learners to stop littering. He said the school would be able to make an income from recycling, if done effectively. “Recycling companies pay for recyclables and this should also be seen as an opportunity for the school to create an additional income stream.”
‘Rocky the Recycling Rooster’ was one of the highlights at the launch of the pilot Recycling Project which was rolled out by GRDM at St. Paul’s Primary School in George.
“From today, this school will have to set an example to other schools by being the cleanest. When we come back here to see how well you have implemented the project, we will award a prize to the learner who has demonstrated and committed to change his/her behaviour,” said Cllr Booysen.
St. Paul’s Primary School were provided with 25 cardboard recycling boxes to use in various classrooms, offices and copy rooms. The boxes are easily identifiable with clear signage indicating that they are meant for recycling. “If the project goes well, the district will also offer recycling bins made for outside use,” explained Cllr Booysen.
A similar pilot Programme was launched at Knysna’s Percy Mdala High School in May 2019 in which teachers and learners were introduced to the programme and the important impact recycling has on the environment.
TRAINING STAFF
It is essential to reach out to learners and teachers to inform them of recycling initiatives. An on-going education programme will inform all participants about their collaborative efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, especially on what can and cannot be recycled.
COLLECTION
Schools often produce tremendous amount of waste with instructional materials, used electronics, and food. Collecting and separation of recyclables after a school has managed to play their role in the recycling cycle, is just as important. Local Municipalities will continue collecting all non-recyclable refuse from schools and the general public.
Carton boxes which will be used by learners for recycling purposes.
WASTE TYPES AT SCHOOL
The following types of recyclables are generally produced at schools, which include:
Paper;
Metal;
Plastic; and
Organic Waste.
WAYS TO RECYCLE AND REDUCE WASTE AT SCHOOL
Keep a cardboard recycling box in every classroom
Route memos electronically;
Reuse office and classroom supplies;
Hold recycling contests between classrooms or grades;
Use the front and back of copy paper for class assignments;
Encourage students to use recycled materials in their art projects;
Establish a recycling club that encourages recycling throughout the school.
Use old magazines for art projects;
Minimize the number of handouts used in classes;
Encourage the cafeteria to buy food in bulk which reduces paper and plastic waste;
Encourage students to bring their lunch from home in reusable containers; and
Encourage students to bring junk mail from home and place in recycle bins.
Rocky the Recycling Rooster’ requested a photo on his own with learners shortly after the pilot Recycling Programme was launched.
Samevatting in Afrikaans
‘n Herwinningsprojek is vandag, 10 Junie 2019, op proef-basis ingestel by St. Paul’s Primêr deur Garden Route Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM). Die projek is amptelik geloots deur Burgemeester Memory Booysen, die GRDM Afvalbestuurspan, in samewerking met ‘Rocky the Recycling Rooster”.
Die projek behels dat leerders gebruik maak van plastieksakke en kartonbokse om papier, metaal, plastiek en organiese materiaal/produkte te herwin.
Burgemeester Booysen het genoem: “Van vandag af moet julle ‘n voorbeeld stel vir ander skole in die streek. Wanneer ons julle weer besoek, beoog ons om ‘n prys aan die herwinnings-ambassadeur by julle skool te oorhandig.”
‘n Soortgelyke projek is in Mei-maand by Percy Mdala Hoërksool te Knysna geloots.
Die doel van die herwinningsprojek is om lig te werp op herwinningsgewoontes in skole en om gemeenskappe se denkwyse oor herwinning te verander.
Ms Desiree Liberty from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit entertained learners with a well-known song to many, called: “This Little Light of Mine” by gospel singer and writer, Harry Dixon Loes. Behind her (fltr), are: Cllr Memory Booysen (GRDM Executive Mayor), Mr Richard Dyantyi (GRDM Manager: EPWP) and Principal Baron Calvert (St Paul’s Primary School)
“As the Garden Route commemorates the June 2017 wildfire disaster and prepares to host a Climate Change Indaba, climate change related disasters are on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Dr Nina Viljoen, Manager: Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and a spokesperson for the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
“With thousands affected and the regional population traumatised, the June 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster was perhaps one of the most dramatic and destructive events in living memory to hit Southern Africa in general, and the Garden Route in particular.”
“To compound matters, back in June 2017, the Southern Cape was suffering the consequences of a prolonged and severe drought, with areas in the Klein Karoo completely running out of water with economic activity shrinking and agricultural output dropping dramatically.”
“Much of what the environment was suffering can be ascribed to the effects of climate change, and local government is increasingly shifting its focus and efforts towards finding ways to cope with the effects of climate change, ” says Dr Viljoen.
“However, with the flooding of KwaZulu-Natal and Beira in northern Mozambique, South Africa is not alone in suffering from climate change”, continues Dr Viljoen. Recently United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has been urging the international community to quickly fund emergency aid appeals for Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, saying they have suffered “one of the worst weather-related catastrophes in the history of Africa.”
Guterres said the devastation has affected three million people, nearly two-thirds of them in Mozambique, and “there are reports that $1 billion worth of infrastructure has been destroyed.” Many areas still have no electricity.
The UN chief called Cyclone Idai an “uncommonly fierce and prolonged storm — yet another alarm bell about the dangers of climate change, especially in vulnerable, at-risk countries.”
He said such events are becoming more frequent and devastating, “and this will only get worse if we do not act now.”
Concludes Dr Viljoen, “In a proactive step to deal with climate change, the Garden Route District Municipality is making good progress in the development of the regional Climate Change and Adaptation Strategy Document, and in due course, we will be making more information available”.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) will be hosting the Annual Fire Commemoration event and Climate Change Indaba on 7 June 2019. More information will be made available on the GREF website https://www.scli.org.za/GREF.
WEBSITE: https://www.scli.org.za/GREF/
** The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serve as a catalyst to drive climate adaption practices in the Southern Cape and strive to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Dr Nina Viljoen: Manager, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and a spokesperson for the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF)
